Dear Editor,
David Ramnarine, Commissioner of Police acting, responded positively to constructive criticism with a willingness to change. He read the ‘Riot Act’ to members of the anti- crime patrol unit and traffic ranks in relation to corrupt and other unlawful activities. This was boldly done in the presence of their supervisors, commanders and members of the print and electronic media. It was an unprecedented display of leadership in the Guyana Police Force. Quite a number of persons in acting leadership positions do not take decisive action. They wait until the substantive leader returns to his position for him to do so. Not to decide is to decide. They are afraid to rock the boat. Not so with Commissioner (ag) Ramnarine. Many persons have commended him for his innovative action. I agree with them. The words of Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis keep ringing in my ears, “ When you are in command and control, you are in command and control. You are responsible for all things tangible and intangible and those above your signature. The buck stops with you the leader.”
According to Stabroek News September 4, the acting Top Cop while dealing with recruit training said, “There are issues such as functional illiteracy, which still exists.
Because of this, there will be the need to return to the full package of seven or eight months of training instead of a four month programme that would yield worse results.”
I am heartened by that statement as I had publicly posited that the current recruit training is too short to effectively induct them into a new and changing environment so that they can adequately perform their functions as set out in Section 3 (2) of the Police Act, Chapter 16: 01, and what is imposed on them by society. It is a recipe to produce quantity and not quality.
In a previous letter to the editor I suggested that the police training should inculcate people skills in the minds of all ranks in the various police divisions and branches, more so, new entrants. Please permit me to repeat some areas that the training should focus on: effective communication; conflict resolution ‒ do you resolve conflict through the barrel of a gun or resort to the 4-B Model ‒ boots, baton, bayonet and bullet? cultural awareness and sensitivity; anger management; decision-making; information technology so that they will not suffer from technophobia ‒ the fear of technology and its use; multilingualism; self-esteem; emotional intelligence; critical thinking; capacity to act; ability to apply knowledge; solid academic base ‒ reading and numeracy; comprehension; ability to research and analyze; policing multi-cultural and diverse communities; effectively dealing with people; effective investigations; and human rights.
In order to enhance training there must be capacity building for the three police colleges at Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice. Special emphasis must be placed on the instructors who should develop and implement an eclectic approach to training.
I hope that David Ramnarine while acting as Commissioner will shortly extend the recruit training programme as he indicated. He should not wait to be confirmed as Commissioner to take corrective action. Speaking about Commissioners, a few years ago while addressing a group of graduands at the Felix Austin Police College B Division where David Ramnarine started his policing career, I stated that he will be the next Commissioner of Police. That was based on his leadership qualities, communication skills and a little bit of seniority. However, it is not my call. It is a political and presidential appointment.
Yours faithfully
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner of Police
(rtd)
